Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands
Author
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-10, 10 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2011-10-02
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
10
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Lepidium meyenii (maca) is a Peruvian plant of the Brassicaceae family cultivated for more than 2000 years, which grows exclusively in the central Andes between 4000 and 4500 m altitude.
Maca is used as a food supplement and also for its medicinal properties described traditionally.
Since the 90s of the XX century, an increasing interest in products from maca has been observed in many parts of the world.
In the last decade, exportation of maca from Peru has increased from 1,415,000 USD in 2001 to USD 6,170,000 USD in 2010.
Experimental scientific evidence showed that maca has nutritional, energizer, and fertility-enhancer properties, and it acts on sexual dysfunctions, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, memory and learning, and protects skin against ultraviolet radiation.
Clinical trials showed efficacy of maca on sexual dysfunctions as well as increasing sperm count and motility.
Maca is a plant with great potential as an adaptogen and appears to be promising as a nutraceutical in the prevention of several diseases.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Gonzales, Gustavo F.. 2011. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992095
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Gonzales, Gustavo F.. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992095
American Medical Association (AMA)
Gonzales, Gustavo F.. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992095
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-992095